The compass that keeps us on track

We have already been able to learn and experience that God confirms our steps when our heart is aligned with Him. Yet what actually keeps our heart on course? If we are honest, obedience to God is, in most cases, not always the easiest path.

Over the past months and years, we have been able to discover and experience what keeps us on course—even in situations where we were confronted with multiple obstacles and challenges. Various topics could be mentioned here that had an influence. What stood out most, however, was the joy and the constant desire for the fear of the Lord.

The holy fear of God is neither worry nor compulsion. It is an inner posture in which love, reverence, and obedience are interwoven. It does not restrict us; rather, it sets us free, because we stop trying to control everything ourselves. This topic is extensive and multifaceted. Therefore, we intentionally limit ourselves to the context of this post.

Moses and the people of Israel

Moses leads the people out of Egypt in a miraculous way. The long-term goal of the people of Israel was the promised land. But before God leads them there, He wants to reveal Himself to the people so that they recognize who He is and who actually led them out of Egypt. God does not want to be known only as a deliverer, but as Lord. Not only as the One who performs miracles, but as the One who is trusted.

What is interesting is how Moses prepares the people for this encounter. He receives clear instructions about what to expect. In Exodus 20:20, Moses says something that sounds contradictory at first glance: “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” (NKJV)

How can Moses say, “Do not fear,” and in the same breath say, “so that the fear of the Lord may be before you”? He is not contradicting himself—he is distinguishing.

There is a difference between being afraid of God and the fear of the Lord.

And this becomes clear just one verse later. In Exodus 20:21 we read: “So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.”

The people withdrew—but Moses drew near. What was the difference? Moses feared God—the people were afraid of God. Some ran away; the other came closer. And that is exactly the difference between fear and holy fear.

When we are afraid, we flee from God. When we live in the holy fear of Him, His presence draws us closer—even when it overwhelms us.

In His presence, intimacy is formed.

When God shatters our standards

When we received our “assignment” to remain here in the USA, it was not exactly the news we had expected. Our situation cannot be compared to that of Moses and the people of Israel. Nevertheless, it was a decision that exceeded our human limits, because we were accustomed to a life shaped by a perceived “security.”

God did not act the way we had planned or expected. And it was precisely here that we were challenged not to limit God to our ideas of security, timing, or solutions.

But by constantly reminding us and keeping before our eyes the holy fear, His presence drew us to Him. It kept us from backing down hastily and encouraged us to come closer. So we took the step and trusted His voice and guidance rather than our own.

Holy fear – the protection of our relationship

Moses learned not to define God by what he understood, but to trust Him—even when he could not fully see the entire path. While the people kept their distance, Moses drew near. Not because he understood everything, but because he knew whom he trusted.

We too are tempted to limit God to our ideas of security, timing, and solutions. But the holy fear of the Lord invites us not to reduce Him to what is familiar. It empowers us to draw near—even when the path exceeds our human limits.

In His presence, we are transformed—from glory to glory.

What matters to Him becomes important to us.

What does not matter to Him loses its significance for us.

What He hates, we begin to hate.

What He loves, we begin to love.

Making the right decisions becomes much clearer as we are increasingly transformed into God’s image. Unimportant things lose their value, and what is important to God gains significance.

When the Bible speaks of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, it is worth taking a deeper look at this topic. Every day we are confronted with a wide variety of situations in which we must make decisions—how helpful His wisdom is in such moments!

And the apostle John writes that eternal life is to know Him. The fear of the Lord is not an obstacle to relationship—it is its foundation.

Without it, we will eventually shape God according to our own image. With it, we recognize that His way is better than ours, even when we do not always understand it.

Just as a compass does not explain every single step but reliably indicates the direction, so the fear of the Lord keeps our heart on course—even when the path leads through unfamiliar terrain.

And that is precisely why the fear of the Lord keeps us on course—not through pressure, but through reverence. Not through fear, but through love.

„Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.» (Proverbs 9:10 - NLT)